Sir Edward Garnier QC MP today joined forces with leading lung cancer experts to call for better care and outcomes for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston lung cancer patients.
The move follows a recent report by the United Kingdom Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC) which shows that as many as a third of UK lung cancer patients still do not have their case discussed by a lung cancer multidisciplinary team; that lung cancer nurses are overstretched; and many cancer specialists may not be fully up-to-date with the latest lung cancer management practices.
“Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer in the UK, yet many aspects of lung cancer care provision across the country are not up to standard – which could be hindering patient survival,” said Sir Edward.
Currently, only 28.8 per cent of lung cancer patients in the East Midlands Cancer Network are still alive one year after diagnosis - and overall UK survival rates continue to lag significantly behind comparable European countries.
The UKLCC’S vision is to double lung cancer survival during the next eight to ten years, with the co-operation of health professionals, policy makers, local primary care organisations, the NHS, local MPs and Government.